Australia's
Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
and the accompanying delegation met with President of International Centre
for Dialogue among Civilizations Dr. Mohajerani, January 8, 2001

In a
meeting with the President of International Centre for Dialogue among
Civilizations Dr. Seyyed Ataollah Mohajerani, Australia's Minister for
Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Mr. Philip Ruddock described the
suitable condition of Iranian immigrants to his country, stressing the fact
that all the immigrant residents of Australia are granted the opportunity to
keep their own religion, culture, traditions and traits, and to be at
complete liberty to hold and attend their usual services and ceremonies.

Recounting
the terms and conditions of immigration to Australia and the Australian
government's plans for the existing and future immigrants to this country,
Mr. Ruddock,
who was visiting the Centre's headquarters along with the accompanying
delegation, added: "There are several groups of immigrants to
Australia: immigrants from Asia, Africa and Middle East, as well as Latin
America and Europe, are living alongside the old native tribes of this
country."

Emphasizing
on the great significance the Australian government puts on maintaining the
rights of native Australians as well as immigrants, Mr.
Ruddock said
that%25 of the total population of Australia at present is
consisted of people born outside Australia, and %50 of the country's
residents are from non-English speaking countries, which results in a
cultural diversity that in turn requires the interaction of cultures and
religions in the country.

Stressing
the necessity for integration of minorities in Australia, Dr. Mohajerani
stated that immigrants to all countries must be allowed to keep their
identity, culture, civilization and cultural identity, andin this regard, Australia can be defined as a cultural museum.

Dr.
Mohajerani then said, "The issue of today's world is whether we should
move toward a unique world culture, the so-called Coca Cola Culture, or
encourage the nations to see the necessity of a multicultural world. We
believe that Cultural diversity makes life more beautiful and bearable, and
doubtless the most important requisite of human life is the acceptance of
the diversity of religions, traditions and civilizations.

Referring
to the words of the Indian Intellectual Baal, a scholar on intercultural
understanding, Dr. Mohajerani further added,"People can never reach a complete, %100 understanding, and
basically it is impossible to persuade everyone to follow one single
culture. This means one should not expect a Muslim to change faith after
talking to a Christian, or vice versa; the main objective here should be
understanding, tolerance and respect for others' faiths and beliefs. With
this ground, we want the Iranian residents of Australia to be able to keep
their own beliefs, traditions and culture. To this end, we are ready to
cooperate with Australia to maintain and strengthen the Iranian culture
among the Iranian immigrants to that country, and with the beginning of the
year 2001, Year of Dialogue among Civilizations, this is a goal completely
within reach.

The
Centre's President then remarked that a country which is wholly consisted of
one single tribe cannot be a proper ground for the diversity of cultures and
civilizations. Dr. Mohajerani pointed out that a country like Australia,
which is the manifestation of intellectual, cultural and ethnic diversity,
is a perfect ground for encouraging the integrity of different people and
cultures.

Referring
to the 300000 Muslim residents of Australia, of which many are shiites,
Australia's Minister for
Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
also added, "We have tried to understand the religious and cultural
principles of all different immigrants to Australia, and promote cultural
interaction and dialogue to reach and increase the understanding and
integrity among all the people living in this country. For this purpose we
also arrange meetings and gatherings."

At
the end of this meeting Dr. Mohajerani accepted Mr.
Ruddock’s invitation
to visit Australia and attendthe
cultural-civilizational gatherings of this country, and witness the wave of
social changes in Australia.

“Theaters
play a very important role in dialogue among nations”, said President of
ICDAC, Dr. Ataollah Mohajerani, Tehran, Iran, Jan 30, 2001

President of the International Center
for Dialogue Among Civilizations, Ataollah Mohajerani said that theaters
play a very important role in dialogue among nations.

Addressing a conference on Theater and Dialogue among Civilizations at the
Artists' House, he said theater is very close to real life and provides a
strong language for communication.

”If we take the civilization as a structure, the spirit of this structure
would be culture and the identity to the culture is given by art”, he
said.

Art, he said, makes communication possible among humans by employing various
phenomenons. ”To express views we can use words, colors and even stone
which is considered as the toughest and most silent phenomenon and even the
facial expression of people could be considered as means of communication”
he noted.

The former minister of culture and Islamic guidance underlined the
importance of forging communication among the people of the world and said:
“A man who is restricted to the surroundings of his village, city and
country is like a person who gains little
experience in life due to the lack of friends and acquaintances.

We have no alternative but to pay more attention to culture in a bid to
broaden dialogue among civilizations and theater is one of the most
effective arts to establish communication”, he said.
Following Mohajerani's speech, a panel discussion was held onDialogue
among Civilizations which was attended by guests from Iran, Egypt, China and
Germany.

International
Conference on “The Viewpoints of Religions on Women & Women's Role in
Formation and Stabilizing of the Civilizations", Tehran, Iran, Feb
6,2001

A one-day International
Conference entitled "The Viewpoints of Religions on Women & Women's
Role in Formation and Stabilizing of the Civilizations" will be held on
Tuesday February 6in
Tehran.

The conference will be held on the day to commemorate Women's Role in the
Islamic Revolution of Iran during the ten-day ceremonies of the revolution's
victory.

Beside
the intellectual Iranian women who will attend and present articles at the
gathering, there will be guests and lecturers from among the wives of the
different countries' ambassadors to Tehran and the guests of the conference
who have come to Iran to attend the event.

International
Colloquium on the Cinema and Dialogue among Civilizations, Center for
Cultural- artistic creations, Tehran, Iran, Feb. 4-6, 2001

“International
Colloquium on the Cinema and Dialogue among Civilizations” will be held at
the Centre of Cultural-Artistic Creations at Hejab St., Tehran, Feb. 4 - 6,
2001. Sponsors include Farabi Film Foundation, International Fajr Film
Festival, Office of Cultural Studies, Iranian National Commission for
UNESCO, and International Centre for Dialogue among Civilizations.

“Rejection
of Violence Prior to Affectionate Regard for Life”,
message of caricaturists from all over the world to the Intl. Caricature
Contest, Tehran, Jan. 28, 2001

Participants
from Romania, Italy, Belarus and Iran were awarded the first three prizes of
the International Dialogue among Civilizations caricature contest. Several
Iranian authorities were present at the function held at Saadabad Cultural
Complex in Tehran to award the winners, including IRI President Mohammad
Khatami, and Head of the International Centre for Dialogue Among
Civilization Dr. Ataollah Mohajerani.

“Freedom is the most
significant precondition for dialogue”,said
President Khatami at the function, emphasizing that freedom is emancipation
from autocracy and prejudice. He expressed his preference for the awakening
sting of caricatures, adding that to begin the year of Dialogue among
Civilizations with a caricature contest shows that dialogue is a serious
issue rising from the depths of human interest and propensity.

Advisor
to President Dr. Mohajerani also emphasized on the sharp and fast effect of
language of caricature, relating the message of contestants that before
elimination of violence there will be no place for dialogue in the world. He
encouraged other cultural organizations to benefit from all artistic means
such as the cinema, music, painting, graphics and so on as a promotional
tool in support of the theory of Dialogue among Civilizations.

Earlier at the ceremony Editor in Chief of "GOL Agha" Publications
Mr. Kioomars Saberi gave an account on the procedure of the contest, saying:
"This contest was different from the usual free theme international
caricature contests in that its main and only focus was on Dialogue among
Civilizations." He further added: "It is obvious from the works of
the contestants that they believe their first duty is to reject violence and
misery, not to approve love and beauty; a fact that gives the impression
that the theory of Dialogue among Civilizations was brought about at a time
when nations were in dire need of it to stand against bitterness and
violence."

Mr. Saberi then presented the honorary trophy of Gol Agha Publications to
President Khatami. Special awards were also presented to a number of
outstanding works, and to selected works of contestants less than 18 years
of age.

The
International Dialogue among Civilizations caricature contest was sponsored
by Gol Agha Publications with the cooperation of the International Centre
for Dialogue among Civilizations. Of the 1030 participants of the contest
801 were from Iran, and 229 from 44 countries including Germany, Australia,
Turkey, Russia, Chile, Palestine, India, France, Sweden, Spain, England,
China, Sudan, Iraq, Egypt, Brazil, and Bosnia.

Mass
wedding held at U.N. Headquarters, United Nations, New York, Jan. 28

A mass wedding ceremony was held on the sidelines of the International
Conference on Dialogue among Civilizations, Family and Common Human Values.

The ceremony which was held for 250 young couples from over 130 countries,
was attended by the leaders of various world religions, including Muslim
Shia and Sunni, Christians, Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish,
Buddhists, Sikhs and Hindu.

Participants in the ceremony underlined the importance of family institution
and wished prosperity and welfare for the human community.

The young couples, dressed in their traditional costumes, demonstrated
diversified cultures from various countries which greatly attracted the
attention of reporters, photographers and other media representatives
stationed at the U.N. headquarters.

Several couples who had married from different cultures and nationalities
read messages to the leaders and people of the world as the representatives
of the couples who participated in the mass wedding.

Leaders of world religions separately performed minutes of prayers for the
young couples and wished them prosperity.

A number of couples from some Muslim countries appeared at the mass wedding
ceremony in their Islamic hijab.

The conference was opened with the participation of 1200 former and present
leaders of 150 countries who underscored the role that dialogue plays in the
establishment of peace and security in the world.

At the beginning of the year 2001, the UN designated Year of Dialogue
among Civilizations, 5 members of Sharif University of Technology's climbing
team waved the flags of Iran and Dialogue among Civilizations at the peak of
Mount Damavand. The three-day ascent was accomplished without resorting to
the en route sheltering camps.

“Dialogue
among Civilizations; a new idea for solving world issues”, said I.R.I
Permanent Representative to the UN, Dr. Nejad-hosseinian, United Nations,
New York, USA, Jan 28

Iran's permanent representative to the United Nations Hadi
Nejad-Husseinian underlined the importance of Dialogue among Civilizations
as a new idea for the establishment of peace, security and prosperity in the
contemporary world.

Nejad-Husseinian made the remark while addressing the inaugural session of
the International Conference on “Dialogue among Civilizations and the Role
of Family; Common Human Values and International Peace”, which opened
Friday morning.

Some 1200 present and former leaders and authorities of 150 world leaders
attended the conference in which they underscored the role that Dialogue
among Civilizations can play in forging international peace and security.

Stressing the need for further consolidation of the pillars of the family
institution as one of the most important common human values, the Iranian
envoy said the human family share a unified fate.

He further remarked that qualitative progress and development in various
domains of the Dialogue among Civilizations demands pioneering of
representatives of the civil society who should make their officials
cognizant of the fact that peace, security and prosperity cannot be divided
in the contemporary world.

Nejad-Husseinian said that assigning 2001 as the Year of Dialogue among
Civilizations and holding various conferences and gatherings in this
connection all prove that the proposal initiated by President Mohammad
Khatami provided a good opportunity for the application of a new method of
reviewing one's individual performance and his mutual affiliation as member
of the human community. The two-day conference on Dialogue among
Civilizations was organized by the international Inter-Religious and World
Peace Federation.

Former Polish president Lech Walesa, President of the Comoros Assoumani
Azzali, former U.S. vice-president Dan Quayle and Sun Myung Moon, founder of
the World Culture and Sports Festivals were among the participants.

Appreciating President Khatami for his idea of Dialogue among Civilizations,
Azzali and Indonesian envoy to the U.N. Makarim Wibisono stressed that in
circumstances under which the contemporary world is suffering from genocide
and ethnic conflicts, such a proposal can resolve human problems and lead
humanity towards mutual understanding.

The next speaker of the conference, Lech Walesa, said in the present era of
globalization, competition for the survival of the fittest has overshadowed
all human activities.

He stressed that efforts should be made to institutionalize values of the
international human community in a way that it would guarantee respect for
culture and family.

Also addressing the gathering, Quayle who served as vice-president in the
administration of George Bush (senior), said that given the spread of ethnic
conflicts, genocide and shattering family bonds in the 20th century, the
idea of Dialogue among Civilizations can be a solution for the mankind.

Ridha Bouabid, the observer of the international FrancophoneOrganization, read a message from former U.N. secretary general
Butros Ghali in which he said that globalization is not merely an economic
phenomenon but also entails manifold political consequences of which some
might not be pleasant. Underlining the key role that family and religion
play in civilizations, Myung Moon said that civilizations have always
experienced ups and downs, adding that demoralization has been one of the
main factors behind collapse of civilizations.

He said family has always played the pivotal role in the creation and
development of culture and civilization that cannot be transferred to the
generations to come in the absence of family.

“Freedom
is the most significant precondition for dialogue”, said President Khatami
at a function held to award the winners of an international caricature contest
on his initiative of Dialogue among Civilizations Tehran, Iran, Jan 28, 2001

Iran's
President Mohammad Khatami reiterated on Sunday his previous calls for more
freedom in the society, saying freedom is the most significant precondition
for dialogue.

"Dialogue is to practice the human factor of common sense in order to
achieve perfection, an aim which can materialize under the auspices of
freedom only," President Khatami told a function held at Saadabad
Cultural Complex to award the winners of the International Dialogue among
Civilizations caricature Contest.

He remarked that freedom is emancipation from autocracy, prejudice and other
material world bondages blocking the path of common sense. Noting that
common sense distinguishes the mankind from other creatures, President
Khatami described it as a means of searching for the truth in life and
accomplishing the good in deed, adding that it is in words that this human
character can materialize.

He further mentioned: "Speech is the manifestation of human mind, and
freedom its precondition, and so dialogue can only be realized where people
are free to think and speak."

Discussing Dialogue among Civilizations, President Khatami pointed out that
civilization is one of the most distinctive aspects of man's creativity of
mind and soul, and Dialogue among Civilizations is in fact dialogue about
what man has created.

The initiator of the theory of Dialogue among Civilizations held dialogue as
more than mere words and referred to all lines of arts as means of its
realization.

He said: "Art looks through the labyrinth of life. It is the means of
human communication and the image of man's soul. Sometimes ideas can only be
conveyed through art, and in this regard caricatureis one of those arts that are as stinging and awakening as
satire." He emphasized:" I prefer the awakening sting to the
lulling caress, and that's what the art of caricature is about."

The
president said in conclusion that to begin the year of Dialogue among
Civilizations with a caricature contest is a sure sign of dialogue being a
serious issue rising from the depths of human interest and propensity. He
added: "What begins with the works of artists is bound to
succeed."

Avignon
University's academic delegation at ICDAC, January 18, 2001

Avignon University's academic delegation including Director of the Faculty
of science Prof. Philippe Columbe, Director of the Faculty of Agriculture
Prof. Lacoumb, andProf.Zabeti met with ICDAC president Dr. Mohajerani on Jan. 18.

Indicating on how positively the Iranian people have regarded the French
Nation in the past decade, Dr. Mohajerani emphasized on the expansion of
relationship between the two countries in the areas of culture, science and
art. He further introduced the International Centre for Dialogue Among
Civilizations as a scientific and research centre that pursuits and supports
joint research projects on the subject of Dialogue among Civilizations.

Prof. Columbe then gave a brief introduction to Avignon University and its
programs and activities. Voicing his hopes for Iran's continuing attendance
at the annual Avignon festival, he called for a seminar attending Iranian
thinkers to be held at his home university.

Director of Faculty of
science of Avignon University's also expressed his gratification on the
signing of student and teacher exchange treaty with Iranian universities,
and invited Iran to take part in the worldwide student exchange project of
Avignon University.

Moroccan
Minister of Cultural Affaires and Communication met President of ICDAC,
January 18, 2001

In
a meeting with ICDAC President Dr. Mohajerani on Jan. 18, Morocco’s
Minister of Culture and Communication Dr. Mohamed Achaari proposed a seminar
on Dialogue among Civilizations attending European thinkers to be held in
Morocco. Iran's ex-Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Dr. Mohajerani
stated in response welcomed Moroccan thinkers and scholars to Iran, and
emphasized that the International Centre for Dialogue Among Civilizations
will invite them to cooperate with their Iranian counterparts on research
and scientific projects on the subject of Dialogue among Civilizations.

"Tehran:
First World Capital of Dialogue among Civilizations", says UN
Representative, January 14, 2001

UN Representative Dr. Francesco
Bastali met with IRI President's Advisor and Head of the International
Centre for Dialogue among Civilizations Dr. Seyyed Ataollah Mohajerani on
Sunday, January 14.

Dr.
Bastali initially gave a brief account of the various UN projects for the
year 2001,continuing to
discuss the global UN activities pertaining Dialogue among Civilizations and
those alike in Iran. Delivering the letter of UN Representative for Dialogue
among Civilizations Mr. Pico to Dr. Mohajerani, he called for
ever-increasing cooperation between the Centre and the United Nations in
this regard, and stated, "The world now follows the issue of Dialogue
among Civilizations through UN Representative Mr. Giandomenico Pico, as well
as summits and seminars held in different countries of the world, which are
all parts of UN activities on the issue." He described the UN
Iranian-based activities and cooperation with the International Centre for
Dialogue among Civilizations in Tehran as the internal activities regarding
Dialogue among Civilizations.

Explaining the different UN activities aimed to launch an Internet website
entitled "Dialogue among Civilizations", Dr. Bastali called for
engaging teachers and journalists as the main elements of social
communication and information providing in the different classes of
societies.

He further referred to the recent proposal of designating Tehran as the
world Capital of Dialogue among Civilizations, and maintained that the issue
will be further followed by the UN member states.

Appreciating Dr. Bastali's account, Dr. Mohajerani in turn suggested that
the title of the World Capital of Dialogue Among Civilizations be givento the world's great centres of civilization on an annual basis. He
added that the Centre is completely prepared to take major steps in the year
2001, and stated, "We should plan extensively for the coming year.
Among others, artists in areas of music, theatre, painting and cinema can
help promote the concept of Dialogue among Civilizations, as figures of
cinema industry from different countries will take part in the Dialogue
among Civilizations' seminar at this year's Fajr film festival."

Referring to the active presence of Iran and its representative Dr. Zarif at
the UN Council of Dialogue among Civilizations, Dr. Mohajerani expressed his
hopes that the council's next session would be held in Tehran.

“Theater
most sophisticated means for dialogue”,
said Iran’s Minister for Culture and Islamic Guidance in a message to the
19th International Fajr Theater Festival, Tehran, Iran, Jan. 21, 2001

Minister for Culture and Islamic
Guidance Ahmad Masjed Jamei highlighted theater as the most sophisticated
and culture-promoting artistic field in the world and one of the most
valuable means for achieving dialogue.

In a message to the 19th International Fajr Theater Festival, Masjed Jamei
said that at the beginning of the "Year of Dialogue Among
Civilizations", thought, ideology and art should set the stage in this
age of the highly expanded global theater. "No doubt," he added,
"theater, is the best means for expressing the demands of mankind at
the global level."

However, said the Minister, the prestige and dignity of this superb art will
only be preserved if its intellectual creators pave the way for appropriate
dialogue at a superior level.

“To achieve that role,” it further continued, “it is believed that
those involved in the arts and in artistic activities should offer their
contributions by striking at ethical, religious and social principles and
thus making a strong impact on the development of culture.

He expressed his hope that the 19th International Fajr Theater Festival will
be an honorable prelude to the "dialogue among cultures and
civilizations".

The
motto of this year's celebrations is "Theater, A Pioneering Art For
2001: The Year of Dialogue among Cultures and Civilizations."

Representatives
from the University of Potsdam met with the authorities of the International
Centre for Dialogue among Civilizations at the Centre's headquarters in
Tehran, Jan.10, 2001. The meeting was attended by Dr. Behzad Shahandeh, Dr.
Razavian and other directors of scientific groups of the Centre, and Prof.
Dr. Dieter Wagner, Dr. Harald Fuhr, Dr. Pietro Morandi and Dr. Paivand
Sepehri of the University of Potsdam. ICDAC President Dr. Ataollah
Mohajerani joined the meeting midway.

ICDAC's Deputy President of International Affairs Division Dr.
Shahandeh opened the meeting by welcoming the guests and giving a brief
report of the Centre's background and activities. Dr. Shahandeh stressed on
the importance of promoting the principles of Dialogue among Civilizations
and building international relationships on the ground of commonalities and
respect for contrasts.

Describing the geographical aspects
of the city of Potsdam, Vice President of the University of Potsdam Prof.
Wagner introduced the five faculties of the University and their respective
departments. He referred briefly to the university's research centres such
as the Centre for Human Rights and Centre for Justice Research -which are to
be merged in the coming year. He also mentioned the Centre for Comparative
Studies on Culture, adding that ICDAC could probably open a line of
cooperation with this centre. This suggestion was welcomed by Dr. Shahandeh
and Dr. Mohajerani, who asked for further and more specific information on
the said centre.

Dr. Morandi then gave a survey on Dialogue among Civilization from the
social-political outlook, comparing the social-political situations of
contemporary world and that of 70s. He explained the economic, social and
political aftereffects of globalization, three important ones of which being
1) a more democratic atmosphere, 2) decentralized economic and political
issues, and 3) a more powerful market mechanism, which has been the success
factor of most advanced countries in the recent years.

Dr. Morandi pressed the fact that positive or negative aftereffects
of globalization on a country depend on how the government runs the country.
He then proceeded to discuss the three different theories of present on the
aftereffects of globalization in the world: Homogenization, according to
which the American-led western imperialism will result in the rising of a
new kind of global civil society; Huntington's Clash of Civilizations, which
predicts that the American-led western imperialism is moving the world
toward such a clash; and finally the third theory -with which the speaker is
emphatically in agreement- is peaceful coexistence and pacifistic
relationship of countries.

Next speaker was Dr. Fuhr, who
talked about the process of achieving intercultural relationship and
education, focusing on Goethe’s identification with the works of Iranian
poet Hafez. He pointed out that cultural relationship can be effective only
if achieved on a solid economic, political, social and cultural ground.

Dr. Paivand Sepehri then proceeded to talk about the division of
countries on the basis of four culture factors of the society, and the
working environment in particular: the existing gap in the power
distribution system (employer-employee), the amount of individual and team
works, male or female dominated cultures, and the level of Danger Tolerance
(the capacity for accepting risks). According to Dr. Sepehri this
classification is based on studies and results of questionnaires distributed
among 100000 people. Noteworthy is the fact that in all four categories Iran
balances in the middle.

The meeting was closed on notes of mutual appreciation, and future
cooperation on scientific projects.

Iran's
Cultural Week in Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 16, 2001

Celebrating the beginning of the
Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations and at the threshold of the
twenty-second anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the
Embassy of Iran in Bangkok has arranged for a weeklong celebration, starting
on January 16.

The Iranian Embassy's Cultural Attaché in Bangkok, Mohammad-Ali Rabbani,
told IRNA in Kuala Lumpur that a conference on Dialogue Among Civilizations,
entitled, “A Glance at the Iranian and Islamic Civilizations”, will be
held during the first two days of the Iran Week.

A Thai Prince, Mahachakri, will attend the inaugural ceremony of the
Cultural Week and a number of Iranian and foreign scholars will present
their articles at the conference. Also two musical ensembles, one performing
Iranian folklore songs and the other one, an Azari group, will present live
Persian music on various occasions during the week.

The side activities of the event include a painting gallery by a
contemporary classic style Iranian artist and an artifacts exhibition
depicting the works of two famous handicrafts experts. There willalso be a picture and poster exhibition of the beautiful nature and
historical sites of Iran, exhibiting some of the tourism attractions of the
ancient land of Iran.

According
to Rabbani, the Iranian Cultural Attaché and the institute for Asia and
Oceania Studies, affiliated to Thailand's Serikharin Virut University, will
jointly publish two books, entitled “Iran, the Cradle of Civilizations”
and “Iran, the Land, the People” during the Cultural Week of Iran.

“Dialogue
among Civilizations an effective tool in international politics”, said
Zhang Zhirong, a Beijing University professor, Beijing, China, Jan 10,
2001

A Peking University professor
believes that the proposal for a Dialogue among Civilizations initiated by
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami can play a very effective role in
international politics.

Zhang Zhirong, an expert in international relations in Peking (Beijing)
University, said that after the fall of the wall that separated capitalism
from socialism in the 90's an American professor announced that the era of
conflict between civilizations, religions, the Church, and Confucianism, has
began.

"British and American scholars believe that western civilization
is superior and that there can be no cooperation among the world's
civilizations," Said Zhang, in an exclusive interview with IRNA.

Zhang believes that the only way to solve the tension among civilizations is
to respond to the proposal of Khatami, that is, to have a Dialogue among
Civilizations, which is also the guiding spirit of UN Charter.

He said that differences could exist between two countries like what exists
in Beijing-Washington or Tehran-Washington relations.

Iran and China are two of world's ancient civilizations and should cooperate
with each other, he added, and this can be done through an exchange of
scholars between the two countries’ universities, he further said.

Zhang, a professor in the Department of International Studies ofPeking
University concluded that if the Khatami proposal is of no use to
governments it could at least bring peace to the peoples of the world.

“The idea of Dialogue
among Civilizations has turned into a global concept”, stated
President Mohammad Khatami in his official visit to ICDAC, Tehran,
Jan. 3, 2001.

Addressing a ceremony to introduce Dr. Ataollah Mohajerani as head of
International Centre for Dialogue among Civilizations, President
Khatami said that Dialogue should not be an Iranian monopoly. Rather,
he stressed, the Islamic Republic of Iran, as the initiator of the
idea, should lead the way for other cultures and civilizations to
participate by using the ideologies, plans and thoughts of experts,
scholars and intellectuals.

Pointing to the bitter experience of mankind in the past century
seeing hegemony, force and militarism taking an upper hand and
bringing disastrous consequences such as discrimination, oppression
and the use of force, he said the idea of Dialogue among Civilizations
was a new and promising concept.

The enthusiastic and widespread welcome given to the idea of Dialogue
worldwide is indicative of the fact that the contemporary world sees
its urgency, President Khatami said.

The president, called for collective effort to prepare the ground for
further consolidation of the internationally accepted idea.

In an effort to change the status quo and bring about a more desirable
world through Dialogue among Civilizations, ideological principles and
approaches should be changed in order to change the human mentality,
President Khatami further remarked.

The President cited “Mental Disturbance” as a problem facing Third

World and developing countries
and said efforts should be made to overcome the problem. Otherwise, he
said, there would be no hope for a brighter future.

He said that under certain circumstances whenever justice, peace, freedom
and spiritual values are mentioned, no precise meaning is given.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the
President termed “Civilization” as a “human experience” and
underscored the need for a critical recognition of civilizations and
human experiments.

He pointed to the “superiority complex” of the West and the
“inferiority complex” of less developed countries as two factors
inthe way of
constructive and efficient Dialogue, and said Dialogueamong Civilizations does not imply imposition.

President Khatami ruled out suggestions that the idea of Dialogue
among Civilizations is an excuse for a dialogue of politicians to
settle their disputes.

He said the crux of the idea should be gleaned from scholars and
researchers rather than politicians, adding that this would preparethe ground for statesmen to take their rightful place according
to the needs of the time.

He underlined the need for each individual to develop the proper insight
and understanding of himself and of others as basic prerequisites to
any Dialogue among Civilizations, and said one of the major objectives
of the International Centre for Dialogue among Civilizations is to
pave the ground for such development.

Appreciating
the unsparing services and efforts of the former head of the centre,
Dr. Mohammad Javad Faridzadeh, the President expressed his hope that
under Dr. Mohajerani's management the centre would be more active.

“Islam
is a religion of Dialogue”, stated Dr. Ataollah Mohajerani during
the official visit of President Khatami to ICDAC, Tehran, Jan. 3,
2001.

The newly appointed head of
the International Center for Dialogue among Civilizations, said that
Islam is a religion of dialogue and that the first principle in dialog
is the acceptance of differences.

His remarks were part of a speech he delivered during a ceremony
introducing him as the new head of the Centre in which President
Mohammad Khatami was also present.

Dialogue is based on the
enhancement of societies, he said, adding that Islam invites followers
of other religions to Dialogue on the basis of commonalities.

Referring to a letter from the Founder of the Islamic Republic, the
late Imam Khomeini, to the then Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev,
Mohajerani said that the letter was proof of efforts made by Islam to
invite followers of all schools of thought, even the material ones, to
dialogue.

He further stressed that culture and art are the most effective tools
for strengthening and promoting the idea of “Dialogue among
Civilizations”.

The Centre is determined to be more active by getting domestic and
foreign intellectuals and thinkers to be its patrons, Mohajerani
added.

Elsewhere in his speech, the
former culture minister expressed hope that the glory of the Islamic
Republic of Iran would be rightly preserved through precise and
correct planning.

Prior
to Mohajerani's speech, Mohammad Javad Faridzadeh, former head of the
Centre, briefed the audience on the performance of the Centre over the
past two years.

President
Mohammad Khatami has accepted the resignation of Dr. Mohammad Javad
Faridzadeh, the president of International Centre for Dialogue among
Civilizations(ICDAC). December 14, 2000.

Dr. Mohammad Javad Faridzadeh had been ICDAC’s president since its foundation in
February 1999 following the designation of 2001 as the year ofDialogue Among
Civilizations by United Nations' General Assembly.

Dr. Faridzadeh resigned because of his heart condition.

Dr.
Ataollah Mohajerani appointed as the president of International Centre for
Dialogue among Civilizations(ICDAC), Tehran, Iran, December 14, 2000.

President Mohammad Khatami appointed Dr. Ataollah Mohajerani, Ex Minister of
Culture and Islamic Guidance, as the president of ICDAC.

Dr. Mohajerani held the position for the last forty months. He resigned on
April 2,2000 due to conservatives’ heavy pressure, but President Khatami
had not accepted the resignation.

Dr. Mohajerani, 46, started his political career twenty years ago as a
parliament representative. He was then the youngest Member of Parliament.

In July 1997, Mohajerani managed to get a vote of confidence from parliament
which was then under the control of the conservatives. He got the least
positive and the most negative votes compared with other ministers of the
cabinet.

Twenty-two months later, he was impeached by parliament but again managed to
get the vote of confidence of Iran's legislative assembly.

In his defense speech in parliament, Mohajerani said Islam is a religion of
tolerance and called on the government to be a bit more lenient with the
intellectuals. He strongly followed the same policy in forty months of his
ministerial position.

Mohajerani frequently emphasized that the government should create an
environment in which the artists and writers can develop their creativity
and in turn, he urged the intellectuals to consider the sensitivities of a
religious society; however, his opponents believed that his tolerance had
prepared the ground for enemies to attack the Islamic values.

Mohajerani tried to remove some bureaucratic obstacles in the interaction
between the state and the intellectuals and created civil institutions in
the field of culture and art.

He
often expressed his envy to the artists and writers who are out of politics
and his new responsibility as the Chairman of International Center of Dialog
Among Civilizations may be an opportunity for him to deal more with culture
than politics.